ANOTHER win for San Miguel. Another failed playoffs bid for Blackwater.
The Beermen went on a fourth-quarter tear to oust the Bossing from quarterfinal contention, 124-109, while moving on the verge of completing a rare sweep of the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations.
CJ Perez dropped 26 points, Don Trollano went for 25, and June Mar Fajardo was again an imposing presence inside with 21 points and 16 rebounds to help the team clinch win No. 10 with one game left in its schedule before heading to the playoffs.
The 15-point blowout by the Beermen came as a fitting tribute to former teammate Arwind Santos’ jersey retirement on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
"I told the boys to win this for Arwind. Let's not ruin his night," said coach Jorge Gallent at halftime after Blackwater trimmed down a 15-point deficit to just 60-53 at the break.
Blackwater was still in striking distance by the end of the third period, but Perez and Trollano instigated a 13-0 run to start the fourth as San Miguel pulled away for good, 101-80, with 8:41 left.
The lead was at its biggest at 112-88.
Troy Rosario, sophomore Jaydee Tungcab, and rookie James Kwekuteye finished each with 15 points, Tyrus Hill with 13, and Christian David with another double-double of 12 and 13 rebounds for the Bossing, who suffered their seventh straight loss for a 3-7 record,
Blackwater will play its final game on Saturday against Phoenix, while San Miguel will cap its elimination round campaign opposite Meralco at the Batangas City Coliseum.
The scores
San Miguel (124) - Perez 26, Trollano 25, Fajardo 21, Cruz 14, Romeo 12, Lassiter 11, Brondial 9, Teng 4, Manuel 2, Enciso 0, Tautuaa 0, Malillin 0, Ross 0.
Blackwater (109) - Tungcab 15, Kwekuteye 15, Rosario 15, Hill 13, David 12, Casio 8, Chua 8, Ilagan 7, Suerte 5, Nambatac 5, Guinto 2, Escoto 2, Sena 2, Jopia 0, Yap 0.
Quarterscores: 32-24; 60-53; 88-80; 124-109.
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